Great South Bay Music Festival postpones 2020 lineup until 2021
Concertgoers seen on the main lawn at the Great South Bay Music Festival in Patchogue on July 20, 2019. Credit: Corey Sipkin
The Great South Bay Music Festival will hold its 14th annual event … in 2021. The Long Island summer staple, originally scheduled for July 16-19 at Shorefront Park in Patchogue, will be moved to next summer, July 15-18, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is something that has affected the whole world,” says founder-promoter Jim Faith. “The entire touring industry has been upended, impacting everyone from the solo guitarist at Treme [in Islip] to Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden.”
This year's four-day festival was set to feature Circa Survive, Third Eye Blind, Rebelution, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, moe., St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Tedeschi Trucks Band and more. The 2020 lineup is currently being rebooked for 2021.
“We are looking at nearly every act coming back next year and have verbal commitments from almost everybody. The Tedeschi Trucks Band is already slated for July 18,” Faith says. “I believe 2021 will be a great year for live music. These artists are going to be out there playing hard.”
Originally, Faith was planning on moving the festival to Sept. 17-20 of this year, but he now says that wasn’t worth the risk.
“We thought it might be safe by September. It seemed reasonable, but as we got closer we thought it’s too dangerous. I don’t want to be responsible for people getting sick,” he says. “The virus could disappear and come back in August then we’d be done.”
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, certain alterations will be implemented into the festival’s framework.
“There will be a lot of changes in terms of restrooms and spray sanitizing. It may come back next year that everybody has to wear a mask,” Faith says. “Everyday things are changing. We are going to find out a lot in the coming months.”
Ticket holders can hang on to their tickets as they will be honored next year. However, those seeking a refund will be accommodated.
“Hopefully a lot of the people will hold on to their tickets. However, we understand if people can’t right now because they are having a hard time” financially, Faith says. “We will do our best to make everyone happy, but we are not going anywhere.”
For more information, visit greatsouthbaymusicfestival.com or call 631-331-0808.
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.
